My Book Valmiki Ramayana: Sundra Kanda Launch >>>>> By Yashwin, Ansh, Medha, Kanak, and Irah >>>>> Chief Guest: Attorney Asha Reddi, Bend County, Texas (USA) : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao (

 My Book Valmiki Ramayana 

Sundra Kanda Launch

By Yashwin, Ansh, Medha, Kanak, and Irah

Chief Guest: Attorney Asha Reddi 

Bend County, Texas (USA)

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao (September 6, 2026)

            ‘This book, Sundara Kanda, authored by Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao, is more than a translation. It is a bridge between generations. A grandparent and a grandchild, perhaps born on opposite sides of the world, can read the same story, understand the same values, and find inspiration in the same Lord Hanuman. I look forward to reading this book with my daughters and with the author’s grandchildren. I hope that, when we read together, we will not only learn the story of Hanuman’s courage and devotion, but also carry those values into our lives,’ said Mrs Asha Reddi, Former Municipal Judge of Fort Bend County, Texas, on receiving the first copy of my book.

The occasion was the release of my book by my dearest grandchildren: Yashwin Koniki, Ansh Vanam, Medha Koniki, Kanak Vanam, and Irah Vanam, along with another beloved granddaughter Mihira Mandapaka, who, though away on a tour to Germany, was present with us in spirit. The book’s full title reflects its deep purpose: Simplified and Faithful Rendering of the Adi Kavya: Valmiki Ramayana: The Greatest Epic; A Treasure for All of Humanity: (Sundara Kanda); Devotional Effort to Bridge Languages, Generations, and Continents. Or, to put it simply: Valmiki Ramayana Sundara Kanda in English.

The attorney, who has spent much of her life dealing with the laws that govern society, noted with deep humility that despite this legal background, ‘our great epics remind us of the principles that govern our conscience and our character: Dharma, integrity, courage, compassion, duty, devotion, and service. Today, these principles transcend language, nationality, geography, and time.’ In her brief but zealous speech, delivered after the book release and following the remarks of other speakers, she began with invaluable observations on the Ramayana, Sundara Kanda, and Lord Hanuman.

Dovetailing her career as an attorney with the principles of the Ramayana, Asha Reddi said: ‘The Ramayana is much more than an ancient epic. It teaches us how to live with Dharma, courage, compassion, loyalty, sacrifice, faith, and service. And Sundara Kanda shows us Hanuman at his very best.’ She then described how Hanuman encountered vast obstacles during his search for Sita, overcoming them through intelligence, courage, sound judgment, and unwavering faith. ‘There is a lesson in that for all of us, she remarked.

Asha Reddi further noted: ‘By bringing the wisdom and beauty of the Valmiki Ramayana to an English-speaking audience, he [Jwala Narasimha Rao Vanam] is helping preserve our heritage for people like me, and especially for our children and grandchildren growing up outside India. Many in the next generation speak English far more comfortably than Telugu. Without translations such as this, some of the greatest treasures of our heritage could become inaccessible to the very generations we most want to preserve them for.’

Earlier, when my daughter Kinnera, who is settled in Houston, opened the event with her welcoming words: ‘Hello, Namaste, and welcome to each one of you here this afternoon’, the Sri Ashta Lakshmi Temple auditorium in Sugar Land, Texas, reverberated with cheers. Though intimate in size, the audience comprised well-known figures in the Telugu literary world settled across Texas, with some traveling from nearby towns to attend.

Manju and Krishna, Sai and Lalita Rachakonda, Chitten Raju, Kakani S Rao, Sonali with her aged parents, Sumana, Veena and Venkat, Maithili and Shekhar, Srujana and Anil, Sudhir Jalagam, Suguna and mani, Shilpa and Ravi, Namrata and Kishore, Namrata, Gita and Srinivas, Dr Sujata and Dr Murthy, Sitarama Ayyagari, Jaya Krishna, Usha and Ravi, Shailaja and Raju, Kamakshi, Savitha and Madhu, Vamshi, Menaka and Rammohan, Sharat, Sushma, and Pavan participated.

The Chief Guest, Mrs. Asha Reddi, has been a resident of Fort Bend County for nearly three decades (much like my daughter Kinnera, who has lived in the same county for nearly twenty years). She is highly respected across the United States for her 34 years of legal experience and 8 years of judicial experience, having built a career rooted in integrity, fairness, and public service that very few are blessed with. To illustrate her immense simplicity: driving herself to the venue, she stepped out of the car carrying a lightweight, portable lectern (reading stand) that she had brought from home.

When I introduced myself, my son, and the others, the first thing she mentioned was her long-standing desire to read a book on Sundara Kanda in English. She possesses immense faith in Lord Hanuman, and beautifully suggested that, perhaps to fulfill her wish, I had written this book with her specifically in mind! Speaking fluently in Telugu, she socialized warmly with everyone in the auditorium, though not before performing the duties of a true devotee by seeking the blessings of the Ashta Lakshmis and Lord Hanuman.

‘Born and raised as an Air Force officer’s daughter who traveled throughout India, I never learned to read or write Telugu,’ Asha Reddi shared. She explained how she eventually made America her home, leading her to stand in the Ashta Lakshmi Temple to participate in the release of this beautiful Sundara Kanda. A top-ranking graduate in Commerce and Law from Osmania University before migrating to the USA, Asha Reddi made history as one of the first Indo-American attorneys appointed to the municipal bench in Texas in 2002.

For more than three decades, Asha Reddi has practiced law and tried cases throughout Fort Bend County, Harris County, and surrounding jurisdictions, earning an outstanding reputation for professionalism, compassion, and dedication to justice. Reflecting her deep commitment to public service, she also served with great distinction as a Municipal Judge in Fort Bend County. Her career stands as a testament to the values of fairness and integrity that she brings to every aspect of her life.

Kinnera passionately introduced the full scope of the occasion. She comprehensively touched upon the book, my background, the Chief Guest, the audience, the temple premises, and the adjacent Statue of Union. Most importantly, she highlighted Teachers’ Day, which coincided with the book launch, drawing a parallel to the "Acharya Concept" by comparing India’s former President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, as an ideal teacher, and Lord Hanuman as a divine Acharya.

‘The bond between Radhakrishnan’s vision of teachers and the character of Lord Hanuman highlights similarities in all aspects,’ Kinnera observed. As soon as Kinnera welcomed the Chief Guest, Asha Reddi, and me to the platform, my granddaughters, Kanak Vanam and Irah Vanam, stepped forward. They presented bouquets to both of us before delivering brief but lovely addresses to the audience. With Yashwin, Ansh, and Medha seated by my side, the grandchildren officially launched the book, followed by the presentation of the first copy to Asha Reddi.

Yashwin and Medha gave an enthralling speech, touching upon our family, their deep association with me, and the book's origins. Medha fondly took personal credit for the Telugu version of Sundara Kanda, noting it was written right when she was born in Cincinnati. Yashwin, as is his wont, proudly compared himself to his grandfather, highlighting their similarities and sharing how much I inspire him.

The grandchildren, especially Kanak, explained the catalyst for this English version: it was their direct loving demand to me to translate the Valmiki Ramayana with a "simplified and faithful rendering" to bridge languages, generations, and continents. Today, their wish stands beautifully fulfilled. Even Irah, the youngest, sweetly mentioned that her grandfather has an inspiring "zest for life." Amidst the celebration, there were incessant, curious mobile calls from Mihira, my other granddaughter currently in Germany, checking in with loving excitement.

Meanwhile, my son Aditya and daughter-in-law Parul uniquely used a question-and-answer format to share the context, genesis, and completion of the book. Ansh and Kishan, young men of few words, quietly showed their appreciation from the audience. Bunti (Prema) seamlessly managed the event's logistics, while my wife, Vijayalaxmi, was my usual anchor of silent support, sitting by my side with an occasional, warm smile.

Concluding her speech in the divine presence of Lord Hanuman: her favorite deity, Madam Asha Reddi celebrated this auspicious launch. May Lord Hanuman guide her success as Candidate for Judge, 240^th District Court, with our Telugu community’s fullest unflinching support.